BIOL 325 Pond Ecosystem SE Activity Guide
for Earth Science Students
, Student Exploration: Pond Ecosystem
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
Vocabulary: abiotic factor, algal bloom, biotic factor, concentration, eutrophication, mean, oxygen, parts per
million, photosynthesis
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. All animals need oxygen. We get oxygen from Fish gets there oxygen from dissolved oxygen
the air we breathe. How do fish get theirs?
2. Where does the “fizz” in soda come from? the chemicals
Gizmo Warm-up
The Pond Ecosystem Gizmo lets you study ponds as an ecologist
would. Each of the tools can be dragged to the pond to take
measurements.
1. Drag the Thermometer to the pond at 6:00 am.
What is the water temperature? (°C) 29(°C)
2. Click Fast-forward ( ) until about 12:00 pm,
and then click Pause ( ).
What is the water temperature now? (°C) 31°C)
3. Just as soda contains dissolved carbon dioxide, pond water contains dissolved
oxygen. The unit for measuring the concentration (amount) of oxygen is parts per
million (ppm).
Drag the Oxygen gauge to the pond. What is the concentration of oxygen? 4.04
ppm
4. Drag the Fishing pole to the pond, and click Play ( ). Fish for about four hours.
How many catfish did you catch? 4
fish
How many trout? non
e
for Earth Science Students
, Student Exploration: Pond Ecosystem
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
Vocabulary: abiotic factor, algal bloom, biotic factor, concentration, eutrophication, mean, oxygen, parts per
million, photosynthesis
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. All animals need oxygen. We get oxygen from Fish gets there oxygen from dissolved oxygen
the air we breathe. How do fish get theirs?
2. Where does the “fizz” in soda come from? the chemicals
Gizmo Warm-up
The Pond Ecosystem Gizmo lets you study ponds as an ecologist
would. Each of the tools can be dragged to the pond to take
measurements.
1. Drag the Thermometer to the pond at 6:00 am.
What is the water temperature? (°C) 29(°C)
2. Click Fast-forward ( ) until about 12:00 pm,
and then click Pause ( ).
What is the water temperature now? (°C) 31°C)
3. Just as soda contains dissolved carbon dioxide, pond water contains dissolved
oxygen. The unit for measuring the concentration (amount) of oxygen is parts per
million (ppm).
Drag the Oxygen gauge to the pond. What is the concentration of oxygen? 4.04
ppm
4. Drag the Fishing pole to the pond, and click Play ( ). Fish for about four hours.
How many catfish did you catch? 4
fish
How many trout? non
e
